Homage paid to Father of the NationCORRESPONDENTS DIGBOI, Oct 2 – The 143rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, was celebrated today by the teachers and students of Digboi College in an impressive manner in the newly constructed college conference hall.

The programme began with lighting of the ceremonial lamp before the image of the Mahatma and paying of floral tributes to him by Dr Dip Saikia, Principal of the college and the teachers and students present.

The meeting held on the occasion was chaired by Dr Dip Saikia and attended among others, by HN Sarma, president of the governing body of the college as the chief guest and Smt Anu Borgohain, president of the Digboi College Teachers’ Unit as the distinguished guest.

Purnananda Saikia, Head of the Department of Assamese in his speech as the appointed speaker, elaborated on the life and activities of Bapuji.

Sarma in his address singled out three particular aspects of Gandhi’s personality-his unassailable moral courage in the face of even the grimmest of threats, his involved kind of pacifism in contrast with the withdrawn and therefore negative nature of pacifism of the contemporary Western world and his absolute reliance on the voice of God-the other name of the dictate of his own conscience in all public and private issues. These qualities gave a strongly positive direction to his leadership in the freedom struggle. Because of these, Sarma said, he became the idol and the source of hope and encouragement to the teeming millions of impoverished, neglected and suppressed Indians.

From among the students, Uma Chetry and Mala Sarmah also spoke about the life and achievements of Bapuji.

Dr Saikia in his presidential speech pointed out to the gathering the value of Gandhiji’s Satyagraha and called upon the student community to emulate Gandhiji’s examples. The programme ended with the singing of the National Anthem.

Gandhi Jayanti at Jagiroad: Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated at various places by different organisations in a befitting manner.

At Jagiroad College, the Father of the Nation was remembered on his 143rd birthday. Floral wreaths were placed on his bust by the college Principal Dr BC Neog and the teaching and non-teaching staff. A quiz competition on ‘Freedom and Gandhi’ and an essay competition were also organised among the students.

Gandhi Jayanati at Jonai: The Murkongselek Block Congress (I) Committee, Jonai today observed Gandhi Jayanti, on the occasion of which hundreds of people including party members, gathered at Jonai Town Club.

Speaking the occasion, retired Joint Director of Health Service Dr Jiban Chandra Doley urged the youths to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals for building of the nation. He said Gandhi Jayanti is an occasion for us to reflect on the life and contribution of the Father of the Nation.

Dr Doley stressed the need to imbibe the wisdom from Gandhiji’s thoughts and actions to address present-day problems that confront the societies.

A colourful procession was also taken out around Jonai town on the occasion.

Gandhi Jayanti in Karbi Anglong: Along with the rest of the country, Gandhi Jayanti was observed in Karbi Anglong. The programme on the occasion included procession, floral tributes, lighting of candles and garlanding of Gandhiji’s photo and statue.

To mark the occasion, a massive rally with banners conveying the message of peace and non-violence was taken out today in Diphu town, in which students from different schools and activists of different social organisations took part. The rally was flagged off by local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Bidyasing Engleng and Sum Ronghang, president, District Congress Committee, Karbi Anglong.

Later, an open meeting was also held at the DCC(I), office Diphu after the rally. At the meeting, the life and noble contributions of Gandhiji to the country was highlighted elaborately by the speakers.

According to a report received here, a massive rally was also taken at Howraghat today by a large number of students, teachers and social activists of different social organisations.